The CC cream category has long lived in the shadow of foundations and tints, but Tarte's new formula might be the product that finally makes people pay attention. At $42, the CC color-correcting tinted serum bridges skincare and makeup in a way that feels genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, blending hydration with coverage that actually adapts to your skin.
The product's trick is elegantly simple. It dispenses as a white, speckled cream, then encapsulated pigments burst as you blend, shifting to match your individual skin tone. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, peptides for strengthening, and niacinamide to balance oil. It comes in six shades designed to work across Tarte's existing Shape Tape concealer range, and it requires a good shake before use and up to two minutes on skin for the true shade to fully reveal itself.
Three editors tested it across different skin tones and use cases. One beauty director found that the Medium shade looked like her skin, just better, and held up through a full day of hugging and socializing without extra concealer. She applied it with a fluffy brush, buffing it over face and neck, and found it more durable than her usual medium-coverage foundations and skin tints. The serum felt breathable throughout the day, and one squeeze was enough for her entire face and neck.
A second tester tried both Deep and Rich shades, and discovered the shade names can be misleading. The Deep shade appeared pale and ashy on her skin, but the Rich shade, which initially looked orange like a color corrector, blended seamlessly into her complexion and provided a true match. She appreciated that the formula didn't pill or interfere with her existing skincare, making it an effortless addition to a no-makeup makeup routine.
The third editor, who tested Medium, praised the product as surprisingly full-coverage for something so lightweight. She applied it with clean fingers and also experimented with a fluffy brush for an airbrushed effect. What struck her most was how undetectable the makeup looked, and she was impressed that it didn't transfer even in 90-degree Texas heat and lasted the entire day without touch-ups.
The product is available at Sephora, Ulta, and Tarte's website. Those considering a purchase should note that shaking is essential for even dispensing, and allowing the formula time to set on skin will reveal its true color.
Author Jessica Williams: "A CC serum that actually color-matches on skin and outperforms foundations costing twice as much? That's the kind of innovation that deserves the hype."
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